by Tom Pelissero, USA TODAY Sports

by Tom Pelissero, USA TODAY Sports

The lawyer for former punter Chris Kluwe says the Minnesota Vikings have reached a settlement with his client, ending the threat of a lawsuit over Kluwe's release.

"The parties intend to hold a joint press conference early next week to make public the terms of a settlement arrived at late last night," Kluwe's lawyer, Clayton Halunen, wrote in a text message to USA TODAY Sports.

Halunen declined to reveal terms of the settlement because it had not yet been executed. Asked if the settlement ends the lawsuit threat, Halunen responded, "Absolutely."

However, Vikings spokesman Jeff Anderson said nothing is finalized and conversations continue.

Halunen and Kluwe were discussing a suit that would have alleged religious discrimination, sexual orientation discrimination, defamation and tortious interference with contractual obligations, resulting in Kluwe's release from the team in May 2013 after what he says was a pattern of intolerant language by special teams coordinator Mike Priefer related to Kluwe's activism on gay marriage.

The Vikings consistently maintained Kluwe was released for football reasons only.

Kluwe wrote on Deadspin in January that Priefer said in a meeting room, "We should round up all the gays, send them to an island, and then nuke it until it glows."

Priefer has been suspended three games to start the 2014 season and pledged $100,000 to LGBT rights charitable and educational organizations. His ban can be reduced to two games if completes anti-harassment, diversity and sexual-orientation sensitivity training.

Kluwe signed with the Oakland Raiders last season but did not make the final roster and has not played since.